Harte planning without Cassidy


By Michael McMullan MICKEY Harte has confirmed Padraig Cassidy won’t be part his plans for the 2024 season after the Sleacht Néill man’s decision to go travelling. Harte handed out six debuts in his first game as Derry manager but Cassidy has stepped away. With Derry currently building a panel for the season ahead, it […]


Derry hungry for more progression says Conor Doherty


By Michael McMullan DESPITE the joy of back-to-back Ulster titles, Derry’s Conor Doherty insists the Oakleafers are still hungry for more. Doherty made his debut under Damian Barton in the 2017 All-Ireland Qualifier exit at the hands of Mayo in Castlebar. Doherty captained Derry to the inaugural u-20 Ulster title the following year but was […]


Harte names five debutants in first Derry team


By Michael McMullan NEW Derry manager Mickey Harte has given five debuts ahead of Wednesday’s Dr McKenna Cup opener with Cavan in Kingspan Breffni (7.30pm). Last year’s All-Ireland u-20 hurling captain Jack Cassidy is handed the number one jersey. Patrick McGurk, Diarmuid Baker, Ruairi Forbes and Donncha Gilmore also set for a first senior appearance. […]


VOX POP: Ulster says yes to the McKenna Cup


Micheál Bannigan (Monaghan) “PERSONALLY, I definitely always look forward to the McKenna Cup. I think it’s very important at this time of the year and it’s very useful to get those couple of competitive games in before the National League. “You get them under you belt and it lets you know where you’re at. From […]


Derry set to ratify u-20 manager ahead of the new season


By Michael McMullan DERRY GAA are set to ratify their new Derry u-20 football manager at the next meeting of the County Committee ahead of the 2024 season. Hugh McGrath will fill the vacancy left after former All-Ireland minor winning manager Martin Boyle stepped down from the post. McGrath, Derry’s Coaching Officer, was part of […]


Meenagh pays tribute to Benny Heron as he calls time on Oakleaf career


By Michael McMullan BENNY Heron was one of the most valued members of Derry’s back-to-back winning team, was “massively respected” within the group and has the potential to have a successful career as a coach. That’s the opinion of Ciarán Meenagh, who coached and managed Derry on their rise from Division Four to Ulster glory […]


Rogers “excited” by Harte appointment


By Shaun Casey DERRY star Brendan Rogers admits he was “surprised” but “excited” by the introduction of three-time All-Ireland manager Mickey Harte as the new Oak Leaf boss. Harte guided his native county Tyrone to the Sam Maguire in 2003, 2005 and 2008 and spent the last two seasons in Louth where he gained back-to-back […]


GERARD O’KANE: Devlin’s presence is huge for Derry


By Gerard O’Kane IF only I had known then what I know now. That’s a saying widely used in many parts of life but in my last column where I talked of the changing landscape in Ulster for the forthcoming season, I was talking about the new appointments in Cavan and Donegal. Never in my […]